Hello everyone, I just got into UCSD for economics+data science, and UIUC and IU Kelley for finance. From what I have seen, I ideally want to work in tech IB on the West Coast, but am fine in any other location if need be. For context, I am from Cali and will be paying a little less for SD, but almost identically for the other two. What do I choose?
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Based on the most helpful WSO content, here's what you need to consider:
IU Kelley: Kelley is widely recognized as a strong feeder into investment banking (IB), particularly through its Investment Banking Workshop. If breaking into IB is your primary goal, Kelley offers structured resources, alumni networks, and a proven track record for IB placement. However, its strength is more prominent in Midwest and East Coast placements, so targeting West Coast tech IB might require additional networking.
UCSD: While UCSD is a great school, it is not traditionally known for strong IB placement. However, its location in California and your major in economics + data science could position you well for tech-related roles or opportunities in the West Coast market. If you’re leaning more toward tech-focused roles or want to stay in California, UCSD might be a better cultural and geographical fit.
UIUC Gies: Gies has a solid reputation for finance, but its IB placement is not as strong as Kelley’s. It’s more regionally focused on the Midwest, and breaking into West Coast tech IB might be more challenging compared to Kelley or even UCSD.
Recommendation:
Ultimately, your decision should weigh your career goals, preferred location, and willingness to network and hustle for opportunities.
Sources: Northwestern ECON vs IU Kelley vs Vanderbilt ECON, Georgetown MSB vs Michigan Ross vs UC Berkeley, UCLA vs IU Kelley, UT vs USC vs Vanderbilt vs Emory for Undergrad, Q&A: West Coast Tech IB Analyst
I'm an IU grad. Will acknowledge I am definitely biased, but in your shoes I would go with IU.
UIUC is a good school, but IU's IBW is bigger, more established, and places better than UIUC's IBA. And while it's IBA-or-bust at UIUC, there are other programs at IU besides the IBW that you can apply to sophomore year that still get you into the IU IBN (Investment Banking Network): the PEW, CMBW, and IBS.
The majority of people at IU recruit for NYC or Chicago, but the people who primarily target West Coast definitely make it happen. We've placed into/have alumni at Moelis LA, Qatalyst, BofA Palo Alto (SF), FTP SF, Rothschild LA, and others. Does this make IU anywhere remotely close to the actual West Coast targets in Stanford, Berkeley, USC, and UCLA? Of course not. Is IU's presence on the West Coast comparable to its presence in Chicago or New York? Again, no. Regardless, it's still feasible out of IU and the people that do it are almost always originally from the West Coast just like you. Cannot stress enough how clutch it is for you to be from Cali and to have personal ties to Cali you can bring up during networking/interviews because having a strong "Why LA/SF" is absolutely crucial for West Coast recruiting: especially coming from a midwest state school like IU.
With UCSD, there definitely could be a stronger case for you going there if you were saving a decent to significant amount of money with in-state tuition and/or you personally just want to be closer to home for college. Since you've indicated neither, I think that also puts IU over UCSD for me. Especially since UCSD to my knowledge doesn't have a dedicated IB program like UIUC or IU, and you'd be fighting a tough uphill battle with not one, not two, but four target schools in the same state full of cracked kids all competing for the same spots as you.
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